The substitute caretaker reported a low earlier this week of -12. This morning it was between 21 and 26, with a light dusting of new snow and the clouds were settling in over the Lodge. The ruler on the weather station had 22 inches, but drifts are to the roof on some of the buildings.

Hwy 441 reopened for a short time yesterday which allowed quite a few day hikers access to Alum Cave trail. Most were only going as far as the Bluffs. The road has been closed again due to freezing rain. The Park Service main goal was to get Hwy 441 open, then start working on the other roads. The Gatlinburg area is experiencing freezing rain this morning.Hopefully the warmer temperatures predicted with allow the road to reopen.The caretaker reported there are no tracks in the snow past the Lodge, so no one has ventured up/down Rainbow Falls trail. As Allyson mentioned and the caretaker wanted to remind everyone to PLEASE be prepared with proper clothing and equipment. As more hikers use the trail, the more the snow will compact and become icy and slick. It took one set of hikers 6 hours to make a hike they normally make in 2-3 hours.

Jo

12/31/2010 01:59:37 am

Happy New Year to everyone!! Thank you to all who keep this blog going!!!! Thanks for all the pics and updates!!!

Debbie

12/31/2010 03:07:16 am

Thanks for the update and pictures. Happy New Year.

DDG

1/1/2011 08:28:57 am

Good stuff...thanks for posting.

Pat M

1/1/2011 09:34:29 am

Happy New Year!! I really love the updates and the pictures. We were not able to get to the mountains last year but visiting this blog has been the next best thing!